The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has raised concerns over the growing trend of people using honorary doctorate and professorship titles as part of their names. In a recent press statement, GTEC emphasized that these titles, while honorable, should not be presented as formal academic credentials.
Why Is GTEC Addressing This Issue?
Honorary degrees are awarded to recognize exceptional individuals who have made significant contributions to society, education, or their field. However, GTEC has noticed that some recipients of these awards are adding "Dr." or "Prof." to their names, creating confusion in academic and professional circles.
The Commission stresses that these titles are honorary—meaning they are not earned through traditional academic study, research, or examination. Presenting them as official credentials misleads the public and undermines the value of genuine academic achievements.
What Does GTEC Say About Using These Titles?
- Honorary titles should **not** be used as part of a person’s name (e.g., "Dr. John Doe" if the doctorate is honorary).
- Only accredited institutions in Ghana should confer such honors.
- Misusing these titles violates Ghana’s Education Regulatory Bodies Act (2020, Act 1023)
GTEC has the legal mandate to regulate academic titles, including "Professor," "Doctor," and "Emeritus." The Commission warns that individuals and institutions who continue to misuse these titles may face sanctions.
A Call for Responsibility
GTEC is urging:
- Honorary awardees to avoid using "Dr." or "Prof." as part of their official names.
- Universities and colleges to be cautious when granting honorary titles.
- The public to verify academic credentials when in doubt.
The goal is to protect the credibility of Ghana’s higher education system and ensure that genuine academic achievements are not overshadowed by honorary distinctions.
Final Thoughts
While honorary awards are a great recognition of one’s contributions, they should not be confused with earned degrees. GTEC’s stance is clear: Let’s respect true academic excellence by using titles correctly.
What do you think about this policy? Should honorary titles be used differently? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Source: [Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) Press Statement]